This paper presents the recent developments in the Polish labour legislation from the perspective of the ongoing debate about activating labour market policy. The main question to discuss is whether Poland follows the international trend to workfare strategies in her labour market policy. First, a historical background of the process of establishing and extending the labour market institutions and instruments after year 1989 will be provided. Furthermore, it will be investigated to what extent the experiences of Poland's neighbouring countries in activating the unemployed population are considered by the latest Act of Employment Assistance and Labour Market Institutions from year 2004. Subsequently, the paper presents the new activating and supporting instruments. Finally, a critical analysis regarding deficits that still exist in the Polish labour market policy will be provided.